APPENDICES.
Appendix: Note A: Page 27.
The love of religious excitement, attributed by the ex-United States Consul at Singapore, to the mountaineers of East Tennessee, is apt to exist among a civilized, yet, uneducated people, who lead a simple, natural life. Its indulgence was formerly much greater in the Western States.
A religious excitement sprung up in East Tennessee in 1802, which was attended with remarkable bodily manifestations, familiarly called “the jerks.” The affection included among its subjects equally the young and old, the strong and weak, the good and bad in previous moral character, those who desired and those who hated it. Involuntary, it had no premonitory symptoms, and left the patient as he was before. The very atmosphere seemed to be laden with an influence that brought the mind and body into relation and sympathy that were abnormally close. If the preacher, after a smooth and gentle course of expression suddenly changed his voice and language to the awful and alarming, instantly some dozen or twenty persons or more would simultaneously be jerked forward where they were sitting, with a suppressed noise, once or twice, like the barking of a dog. And so it would continue or abate, according to the tenor or strain of the discourse.
This extraordinary nervous agitation commenced in East Tennessee at a “sacramental meeting,” and on that day several hundreds of persons were seized with it. At first uniformly confined to the arms, the quick, convulsive motion went downwards from the elbow, and these jerks succeeded each other after short intervals. For some time no religious meeting was held in which this novel, involuntary exercise was not exhibited by more or less of the audience in that part of the country where it originated. Generally, all who had once been its subjects, continued to be frequently affected, and not only at meeting but at home, and sometimes when entirely alone. After the commencement of the “jerks” they spread rapidly in all directions. Persons drawn by curiosity to visit the congregations where they existed, were often seized, and when they returned home they would communicate them to the people there. In some instances they occurred in remote valleys of the mountains, where the people had no opportunity of communication with the infected. In East Tennessee and the southwestern part of Virginia, their prevalence was the greatest. Soon the “exercise” began to assume a variety of appearances. While the jerks in the arms continued to be the most common form, in many cases the joint of the neck was the seat of the convulsive motion, and was thrown back and forward to an extent and with a celerity which no one could imitate, and which to the spectator was most alarming. A common exercise was dancing, performed by a gentle and not ungraceful motion, but with little variety in the steps. One young woman had what was termed, “the jumping exercise.” It was truly wonderful to observe the violence of the impetus with which she was borne upwards from the ground: it required the united strength of three or four of her companions to confine her down. None of these varieties however, were half so terrible to the spectator, as that which affected the joint of the neck, in which it appeared as if the neck must be broken. Besides these exercises, there were some of the most curious and ludicrous kind. In one, the affected barked like a dog, in another, boxed with fists clenched, striking at any body or thing near, in another, ran with amazing swiftness,—imitated playing on a violin, or sewing with a needle, &c.
The affection was “imported into Kentucky” as well as Virginia. Not only was it contagious, but particular kinds of exercise were caught from a stranger visiting a congregation that had known it in other forms of bodily movement.
These nervous agitations were at first received as supernatural agencies, intended to arrest the attention of the careless multitude, and were therefore encouraged and sustained by many of the pious, but after a while they became troublesome. The noise made by the convulsive motions in the pews was such, that the preacher could not be composedly heard; and in several of the exercises the affected person needed the attention of more than one assistant. Besides, subjects of the jerks became weary of them, and avoided serious and exciting thoughts, lest they should produce this effect. However, they all united to testify, that in the most violent and convulsive agitations, when the head would rapidly strike the breast and back alternately, no pain was experienced; and some asserted, that when one arm only was affected with the jerks, it felt more comfortable than the other through the whole day. In some places the persons affected were not permitted to come to the church on account of the noise and disturbance produced. The subjects were generally pious or seriously affected with religion, but not universally. There were cases in which the careless, and those who continued to be so were seized. The dread of the jerks was great in many persons, both religious and careless, and the affection did not contribute to the advancement of religion. There were persons however, who after much experience still approved them.
Appendix: Note B: Page 75.
According to Haywood and Ramsey, the ex-Governor of Frankland, when attempting to escape in the mountains on the way to Morganton, was pursued, became entangled in the woods, was fired upon by one of the guard, was recaptured unhurt and delivered to the High-Sheriff of Burke County, N. C. Gen. McDowell, Sevier’s compatriot at King’s Mountain and another friend, procured him a brief liberty, which the Sheriff renewed. The Court was then in session and the prisoner was arraigned before it as a traitor to North Carolina. Six of his friends had separately come from west of the mountains to Morganton:—Dr. James Cozby, his former Army Surgeon; Maj. Evans, his tried fellow-soldier; his two sons James and John, and two others, Greene and Gibson.
Dr. Ramsey’s history repeats the narrative in MS. of one who lived at that time. He tells that four of the six men above named concealed themselves outside the town, while Cozby and Evans went into it and entered the crowd attracted to the scene by the prisoner’s fame. Evans, apparently an unconcerned visitor, led Sevier’s horse, (celebrated for swiftness,) in front of the Court house, and threw the bridle carelessly over its neck. Cozby went into the house, and his eyes met those of the prisoner. Sevier at once knew that rescue was at hand, but a sign from Cozby restrained him. There was a pause in the trial. Cozby stepped forward in front of the Judge and asked him with quickness and energy: “Are you done with that man?” His hearers were startled and wondering, and while their attention was turned aside, Sevier sprang to the door, then to the saddle on the waiting horse and speedily was gone. He was followed by his rescuers and welcomed by the two friends who were without the town. Then, away the whole party went homeward, leaving their pursuers hopelessly behind.
There have been recent publications concerning Sevier, in which his antagonist, Tipton, has been spoken of unfavorably. J. C. Tipton, an aged grandson of Col. John Tipton, has been moved to publish, that there are two errors in current history of that early period. One of these is in the statement that Tipton would have hung Sevier’s sons, his prisoners, but was persuaded by friends to spare their lives. The second error, relates to Sevier’s deliverance from captivity. Mr. Tipton affirms that “Col. Tipton started Gov. Sevier to North Carolina for trial under a guard of two men, that Sevier escaped in the mountains on the way, and was not taken to Morganton.” He represents that these facts were received by him from his father, Jonathan Tipton, to whom they were communicated by Col. John Tipton. He admits that the errors of which he writes, should have met long since with correction, but the general character of both Tipton and Sevier having been that of “honorable, brave and magnanimous men,” the necessity for it sooner has not seemed urgent. The historical revival of the subject now invites this act of justice to the memory of his ancestor.
Appendix: Note C: Page 88.
The following letter to the author of these Reminiscences, is from his friend,—a gentleman of superior social and professional standing, and a citizen of Richmond, Virginia. It expresses his mind, and probably that of many other intelligent and reflecting persons in Virginia at the time it was written, concerning the civil and political situation.
Richmond, Dec. 26, 1860.
“There are times when friends are indeed blessings. I prize a sympathizing friend more and more every day: and I almost think that the time has come when union with Christ is the only bond that can certainly survive the shock and the disintegration that threaten our social structure.
After a conversation held last evening with a circle of intelligent friends, I retired to my room convinced that we are, as a nation, all adrift,—under cross tides,—under high and variable winds, without chart, compass or generalship,—except the secret purposes of the Eternal Mind.
Paul’s experience on the Adriatic,—without sun, moon or stars for many days, comes up to my mind. This only I know, that God is serene; in knowledge and power,—the sure trust of His Church and people.
The work of disintegration goes on,—without any combination, as yet, of the forces. The inauguration of Mr. Lincoln, (if he is inaugurated,) will give proportions and type to the entire Southern elements, which will present a distinct and palpable issue to the North and South.
I incline to think that the South will become substantially a unit upon the main points at issue, whilst the North is likely to be divided both on the moral and political questions pressing upon them. Then a line will have to be conceded or fought for, or a reconstruction of the Federal Government will take place. The West and North West are inoculated already with the doctrine of free trade; and if Baltimore, Norfolk, Charleston, Savannah, Mobile and New Orleans are declared free ports of entry, the laws of trade will prove invincible powers, aided by foreign diplomacy and interests, before which manufacturing New England will have an unequal struggle.
The trouble is with Pennsylvania and her iron interests; but New York will force Philadelphia into Southern sympathies, and Commerce will butter the bread of politicians. Such are my poor thoughts.
I go with a United South on such grounds as Kentucky, Tennessee, Georgia, North Carolina and Virginia may consent to. The Cotton States cannot, as I think, make themselves respected as an independent power, at home or abroad. They will feel this before their Conventions dissolve.
Our pride needs to be humbled! our national and public sins to be felt and deplored. I trust the fourth of January will bring the people of God before Him in such an attitude, that He, as He alone can, will deign to hear and save us yet.
... If this Union is to be dissolved, and especially if extreme Cotton ideas are to prevail, I would willingly accept a home in England or Scotland. The thought of exile from America! Strange!!! But I am now humiliated and grieved, so that I know not what more I could feel except at the horrors of blood shed by brothers.”
Appendix: Note D: Page 88.
This Bible Colporteur was Rev. Herman Bokum, a Minister of the German Reformed Church and a Pennsylvanian, who had resided for five years on a farm near Knoxville. His education was superior in kind, and he had the Germanic conscientiousness with which Martin Luther was so magnificently gifted. Under his eccentric, decidedly brusque manners, there lay hidden a tender heart and a deep vein of piety. Whatever disturbances his mind had once suffered from outward troubles, it certainly had emerged from them (as is sometimes the outcome in such cases,) with a sharpness of discernment, of which minds are blameless that have never been moved from their even tenor and plodding ways. His mental astuteness was of little or no use to him in the conduct of his own affairs,—his poverty always keeping in front along with his sincerity. But he early saw the fatal drift of the Secession movement and the magnitude of the proportions to which it would grow. Dr. Hill, then President of Harvard University, told a Tennesseean after the war had closed, that his eyes had been first opened by Mr. Bokum, to the reality of the Rebellion, early in its progress, as a great and portentous fact. Being an ardent Union man and of a fearless nature, he soon became obnoxious to the Confederate authorities. Eventually they detailed a file of soldiers to arrest him at his home. But he heard of their coming and made his escape over the mountains through Kentucky to Philadelphia. There he was appointed a Hospital Chaplain and in 1863 published in pamphlet, “A Refugee’s Testimony,”—being a narrative of his personal experiences in Tennessee.
Appendix: Note E: Page 95.
The young New-Yorker soon went on his way homewards. At Washington City he was forced to tarry, and from there he wrote to his friend at Knoxville as follows:
April 23, P. M., 1861.
“I have succeeded in effecting a junction with my other forces—my brother and brother-in-law—but we are all now prisoners of war! Not that I would give you to understand that we are in the power of either of the belligerents, but because of the war we are most decidedly prisoners in this place.
I found the whole line of the road in a blaze of enthusiasm and excitement from Knoxville to Lynchburg, which place I reached the next morning. Having occasion for a business purpose to introduce myself to ——, Warden of the Church there, (the Clergyman being absent), he very kindly asked me to stay at his house, which I did until Monday morning, when I came on here without interference.
The people of Virginia display a noble spirit of patriotism if it were only in a right cause, which I cannot feel to be the case. The very soil seems to teem with armed men. Even the boys and the old men are enlisting, and the cry is ‘To Washington!’ Senator Mason addressed them on the route and said, ‘War has begun,’ and Jeff. Davis with two thousand Carolinians is already at Richmond. I regret the policy of the Government and think it is a grand mistake; but it is the most absurd dream in the world that Lincoln wishes to lead an army against the South. The truth is, Virginia’s sympathies are so much more with the South than with the Government, that although denouncing utterly both South Carolina and Secession, she preferred uniting her fortunes with them, to sustaining a policy which involved force against them to any degree at all.
I am struck with the fact that at the South the loyal feeling goes to the State, while at the North it goes to the General Government. The radical difference of belief concerning the relations of the separate States to the Nation, is a principal cause in the whole trouble. The very same act which crazes Virginia, crazes the whole North in an opposite direction, and brings Pierce, Buchanan and Fillmore out in support of the Government.
My friends (at Lynchburg) did not dare invite me to take part in the services, and the most atrocious sentiments were uttered in my hearing against Lincoln and the Yankees. Here all seems quiet—no cannon in the streets and few soldiers to be seen. Martial law is not proclaimed and there is a wonderful contrast to the feverish atmosphere of Virginia. Still I believe the Government is wide awake and more ready than people dream of. Communications have been open to Baltimore but broken up beyond. To-day Rev. Mr. P—— and I concluded to go there and try to make our way around through Harper’s Ferry and Hagerstown, but we found that since morning the Government had seized the depot and would allow no train to leave. So here we are.
I despond very much about peace. Perhaps I am superstitious, but the two singular portents (which have so many parallels in history) of the first lesson last Sunday from Joel, and the co-incidence of the Baltimore fight with the anniversary of the battle of Lexington, dishearten me.
The Potomac is now fortified and the Government must march its troops through Maryland or give up its Capital. Unless this should be seized soon, it will not be done; and if Maryland refuses passage through her borders to men and provisions, Maryland must be put down, if it burns her every town and makes the State a desert. Self preservation will extort that.
But in these exciting times we must do what we can to check the madness of the people. Do not let yourself suppose, as so many seem to do, that all this excitement at the North is hatred of the South. No such thing. The very same feeling of patriotism which in Lynchburg called six hundred men to arms and equipped them with eighteen thousand dollars, is at the North rallying all to the support of the old and loved Government—no conglomeration of States but the Federal Union. That hates will arise on both sides now, we must expect. War lets loose fearful passions, and I know human nature is alike every where; and judging from what I saw in Virginia, I can readily believe the North will be about as bad.”
Appendix: Note F: Page 101.
Colonel David Cummings, of Anderson county, an officer of the Tennessee (Confederate) troops, was conspicuous in preserving peace at the time of the imminent deadly collision between Union men and Secessionists on the principal street of Knoxville. It was he, who with two Union citizens,—Abner Jackson and John Williams—afterwards succeeded by persuasion in halting hundreds of State soldiers on their way from camp to the town with a destructive purpose against Charles Douglass, and so, in preventing a bloody encounter between the soldiers, and Douglass with his friends. It was also Col. Cummings, who on a subsequent day, as the body of the murdered Douglass was borne along the street to its grave, relieved the occasion of its reproach in the eyes of unfriendly observers, by magnanimously joining on horseback the officiating minister in leading the sad procession.
Appendix: Notes G and H: Pages 107 and 115.
Delegates to the Union Convention at Knoxville and Greeneville, Tenn., May 30 and June 17, 1861.
Names unmarked are of members present only at Knoxville.
Names marked * are of those present only at Greeneville.
Names marked † are of those present on both occasions.
ANDERSON COUNTY.
T. Adkins,
J. Ayres,
H. H. Baker,
Lindsey D. Hill,
L. Hockworth,
Oliver Hoskins,
James Ross,
Philip Sieber,
William Smith,
John Black,
J. C. Chiles,
J. H. Cox,
William Cross,
J. A. Doughty,
Edward Freels,
John Freels,
W. S. Freels,
† L. C. Houk,
J. B. Lamar,
G. W. Leath,
Samuel Moore,
L. A. Powell,
Grandison Queener,
Wm. Reynolds,
J. Thompson,
P. C. Wallace,
John Weaver,
W. W. Weaver,
A. T. Williams.
D. K. Young,
S. C. Young.
BLEDSOE COUNTY.
S. P. Doss,
Wm. S. Findlay, M.D.,
J. W. McReynolds,
† J. G. Spears.
BLOUNT COUNTY.
S. F. Bell,
Henry Brakebill,
Rev. J. S. Craig,
* F. M. Cruze,
W. H. Cunningham,
† Rev. W. T. Dowell,
W. L. Dearing,
Rev. W. T. Dowell,
Robert Eagleton,
† Solomon Farmer,
S. C. Flannigan,
H. Foster,
David Goddard,
William Goddard,
John Godfrey,
* J. R. Frow,
Henry Hammell,
J. M. Heiskell,
* H. J. Henry,
James Henry,
Spencer Henry,
Isaac Hinds,
W. A. Hunter,
G. W. Hutsell,
John Jackson,
Alex. Kennedy,
Edward Kidd,
Jefferson Kidd,
James Henry,
† A. Kirkpatrick,
Sanders Leeper,
Stephen Matthews,
Fleming Mays,
Andrew McBath,
M. McTeer,
Robert Pickens,
Thomas Pickens,
James H. Rowan,
John Trew,
Jas. H. Walker,
† Lavater Wear.
BRADLEY COUNTY.
S. Beard,
J. S. Bradford,
* J. G. Brown,
J. M. Campbell, M.D.,
T. L. Cate,
C. D. Champion,
A. A. Clingan,
J. N. Dunn,
† R. M. Edwards,
S. P. Gaut,
C. T. Hardwick,
J. L. Kirby,
John McPherson.
CAMPBELL COUNTY.
George Bowling,
William Carey,
† Joseph A. Cooper,
David Hart,
Joseph Hatmaker,
John Jones,
J. L. Keeny,
John Meader,
Wm. Robbins,
R. D. Wheeler.
CARTER COUNTY.
* B. P. Angel,
* J. L. Bradley,
John W. Cameron,
J. T. P. Carter,
* L. Carter,
* W. B. Carter,
* W. J. Crutcher,
* J. Emmet,
* J. Hendrickson,
* T. M. Hilton,
* J. G. Lewis,
* Wm. Marsh,
* B. M. G. O’Brien,
* J. Perry,
* V. Singletary,
* H. Slagle,
* L. Slagle,
* H. C. Smith,
* John M. Smith,
Daniel L. Store,
* D. Stover,
† Abram Tipton,
† C. P. Toncray,
* Robert Williams,
* C. Wilcox.
CLAIBORNE COUNTY.
* J. J. Bunch,
† E. E. Jones,
* F. Jones,
* V. Myers,
* H. Sewell,
* J. J. Sewell.
COCKE COUNTY.
* J. Bible,
* W. A. Campbell,
† J. W. Clarke,
† P. H. Easterly,
* W. Graham,
* W. Hornett,
* S. H. Inman,
* W. Nicely,
* G. L. Porter,
* William Wood.
CUMBERLAND COUNTY.
F. Kindred,
A. C. Yates,
* R. K. Byrd; Proxy.
FENTRESS COUNTY.
* E. B. Langley; Proxy.
GRAINGER COUNTY.
† John Brooks,
† James James,
† Harmon G. Lea,
† D. C. Senter,
* Edward L. Tate.
GREENE COUNTY.
* Thos. D. Arnold,
† Samuel H. Baxter,
* Jacob Bible,
* H. B. Boker,
* J. Brannon,
† James Britton,
† James Britton, Jr.,
T. G. Brown,
* W. R. Brown,
† Wm. Cavender, M.D.,
† G. Click,
† R. A. Crawford,
* William H. Crawford,
* W. D. Culver,
* E. Davis,
* Thomas Davis,
* J. B. Dobson,
* B. Earnest,
* N. Earnest,
A. G. Easterly,
† Jonathan Easterly,
Reuben Easterly,
R. M. Easterly,
Adam Farnsworth,
* James A. Galbreath,
† Charles Gass,
* George F. Gillespie,
† Solomon Goode,
† Abram Hammond,
* C. Harden,
* Peter Harmon,
* J. W. Harold,
* A. W Howard,
* J. P. Holtsinger,
† Chas. Johnson, M.D.,
† Robert Johnson,
* James Jones,
† John Jones, Jr.,
† William Jones,
* J. Kerbaugh,
* George Kinney,
† Alexander A. Lane,
* John Love,
† John Maloney,
W. A. Maloney,
† W. D. McClelland,
* B. McDannel,
† Jas. P. McDowell,
* Samuel McGaughey,
* Anthony Moore,
* J. Myers,
* Hon. D. L. Patterson,
* J. G. Reeves,
* David Rush,
† B. B. Sherfie,
† D. G. Vance,
* C. M. Vestal,
† A. W. Walker,
† Wm. West, M.D.,
* Israel Woolsey.
HAMILTON COUNTY.
John Anderson,
J. D. Blackford,
F. G. Blacknall,
A. M. Cate,
G. O. Cate,
E. M. Cleaveland,
† William Clift,
Wm. Crutchfield,
William Denny,
J. F. Early,
R. Hall,
Wilson Hixson,
J. D. Kenner,
Monroe Masterson,
J. A. Matthews,
P. L. Matthews,
* S. McCaleb,
A. W. McDaniel,
R. C. McRee,
Peter Mounger,
A. A. Pearson,
I. C. Rogers,
A. Selser,
J. G. Thomas,
† D. C. Trewhitt.
HANCOCK COUNTY.
* Charles L. Barton,
Wm. G. Brownlow and Wm. C. Kyle: Proxies.
HAWKINS COUNTY.
* Thomas Benny,
† John Blevins,
† A. P. Caldwell,
* C. W. Hall,
* A. B. Keel,
† Wm. C. Kyle,
* A. A. Kyle,
* C. J. McKinney,
* H. Mitchell,
* John Netherland,
Robert G. Netherland,
John Vaughn,
* James White.
JEFFERSON COUNTY.
* John Alderson,
† Sam’l Anderson, M.D.
J. M. Bewley,
* Rev. J. R. Birchfield,
† A. A. Caldwell, M.D.,
† —— Cawood, M.D.,
* J. L. Coile,
† William Dick,
† Wiley Foust,
* Wm. Harris,
W. A. Haun,
Joel Johnson,
† William Jones,
* W. Kirkpatrick,
† L. F. Leeper,
* L. McDaniel,
Wm. McFarland,
† J. Monroe Meek,
* N. Newman,
* R. D. Rankin,
* E. A. Sawyers,
* C. K. Scruggs,
† J. P. Swann,
* N. B. Swann,
† John Tate,
* M. Thornburg,
* John Thornhill,
* Edward West.
JOHNSON COUNTY.
* Alexander Baker,
† R. R. Butler,
† J. W. M. Grayson,
* Samuel Howard,
M. T. Locke, M.D.,
Rev. L. Madron,
* H. P. Murphy,
* Kemp Murphy,
† John Murphy,
J. Norris,
* J. H. Norris,
* J. F. Norris,
* H. C. Northington,
† S. E. Northington,
* A. G. Shown,
G. H. Shown,
F. Slimp,
† A. D. Smith,
D. Smithpetre, M.D.,
† J. H. Vaught,
† Rev. L. Venable.
KNOX COUNTY.
F. A. Armstrong,
John Armstrong,
Caleb H. Baker,
J. P. Barger,
† John Baxter,
William Beard,
James D. Bell,
R. B. Gibbs,
A. Gideon,
Wilson Groner,
James Hall,
R. M. Hall,
Robert Harper,
R. A. Harrison,
John H. Mynatt,
R. G. Mynatt,
David Nelson,
Jacob L. Nelson,
J. M. Nelson,
Nicholas Nelson,
H. Osborne,
J. S. Bell,
R. M. Bell,
R. M. Bennett,
F. H. Bounds,
H. R. Brown,
John Brown,
John M. Brown,
T. W. Brown,
† Wm. G. Brownlow,
† J. F. Bunker,
Absalom Burnett,
David Burnett,
John A. Callaway,
* A. C. Callen,
P. H. Cardwell,
C. W. Carnes,
T. W. Carnes,
W. B. Carnes,
M. Childress,
Henry Chiles,
† H. R. Clapp,
William Clapp,
William Coker,
John M. Conner,
W. A. A. Conner,
George Cooper,
F. Coram,
John J. Craig,
Robert Craighead,
O. H. Crippen,
John Currier,
† A. Davis,
D. F. DeArmond,
P. Derieux,
† John Devers,
James Hartley,
W. E. Hedgcock,
F. S. Heiskell,
John Henson,
A. D. C. Hinds,
William Hines,
Daniel Hommell,
Joseph Hubbs,
* Abner G. Jackson,
L. D. Johnson,
William D. Johnson,
W. Kennedy,
Daniel King,
John Kirk,
† Andrew Knott,
Joseph Larew,
W. R. Lawrence,
M. D. Lea,
Seth Lea,
John Lester,
John Letsinger,
* Lewis Letsinger,
Thomas Long,
John Looney,
Jas. C. Luttrell,
John Luttrell,
J. Luttrell,
J. M. Marcum,
† James Maxwell,
W. N. Maxwell,
John J. May,
* Horace Maynard,
† Samuel McCammon,
Wm. McClelland,
Levi McCloud,
† D. W. Parker,
James Raison,
† A. P. Rambo,
Lewis Reed,
Jacob Reid,
B. Roberts,
* Henry Roberts,
Milton Roberts,
Samuel R. Rodgers,
Thomas Rodgers,
† Wm. Rodgers, M.D.,
* P. A. Ruble,
Frederick Rule,
P. Rutherford,
William Sharp,
Joseph Shell,
Matthew Simpson,
P. H. Skaggs,
James Smith,
† John Smith,
† T. A. Smith,
† Robert Sneed, M.D.,
Jesse Stubbs,
W. H. Swan,
James Tarwater,
† O. P. Temple,
† Andrew Thompson,
G. W. Tindell,
† C. F. Trigg,
A. R. Trotter,
John Tunnell,
H. Turner,
John Vance,
P. Walker, M.D.,
Thos. J. White,
J. R. Draper,
† John M. Fleming,
Joseph W. Fowler,
B. Frazier,
J. D. French,
Joseph Garner,
J. O. Gentry,
P. George,
J. C. S. McDaniel,
J. A. McMillan,
A. A. Meek,
J. H. Morris,
A. K. Mynatt,
Col. Mynatt,
Hugh Mynatt,
H. D. C. Mynatt,
† John Williams,
Calvin Wood,
John Wood,
R. H. Wood,
F. M. Yarnall,
Martin Yarnall,
R. A. York.
MARION COUNTY.
† William G. Brownlow: Proxy.
M’MINN COUNTY.
W. W. Alexander,
† M. D. Anderson,
† George W. Bridges,
David Brient,
Rev. H. Buttram,
Charles Cate,
Robert Cochran,
A. C. Derrick,
J. J. Dixon,
O. Dodson,
Wm. L. Dodson,
C. Foster,
J. H. Hornsby,
A. Hutsell,
Nathan Kelly,
Wm. L. Lester,
M. R. May, M.D.,
T. B. McElwee,
† John McGaughey,
N. J. Peters,
Wm. Porter,
E. T. Renfro,
B. Wells,
Rev. John Wilkins,
D. P. York.
MEIGS COUNTY.
Andrew Campbell,
Thomas Miller,
† T. J. Matthews,
Thomas Sessell.
MONROE COUNTY.
I. C. Brown,
A. W. Cozart,
T. H. Davis,
W. H. Dawson,
† B. Franklin, M.D.,
† William Heiskell,
Samuel M. Johnson,
J. R. Robinson,
Wm. M. Smith.
MORGAN COUNTY.
T. H. Davis,
† S. C. Honeycutt,
Rev. W. R. Jackson,
† E. Langley,
† J. M. Melton,
B. T. Staples,
M. Stephens,
† Jesse Stonecipher.
POLK COUNTY.
* W. M. Biggs,
* W. J. Copeland,
J. M. McCleary.
ROANE COUNTY.
* J. Adkisson,
† W. M. Alexander,
† Joseph Anderson,
J. W. Atkisson,
F. Bales,
† J. W. Bowman,
R. W. Boyd,
E. W. Brazeale,
† R. K. Byrd,
T. F. Carter,
Samuel L. Childress,
Isaac A. Clark,
William Clark,
E. S. Clarke,
T. T. Coffin,
J. I. Dale,
Reuben Davis,
John DeArmond,
P. I. Doremus,
G. W. Easter,
W. L. Goldston,
A. L. Greene,
* J. S. Hagler,
Wesley Harwell,
† D. F. Harrison,
John Hays,
J. O. Hays,
* W. J. Hornsby,
E. D. Hoss,
† James H. Johnston,
† George Littleton,
William Lowry,
Joseph B. Martin,
† Thomas J. Mason,
W. S. Patton,
Wm. E. Pope,
† M. Rose,
W. P. Rose,
T. Russell,
† J. T. Shelley,
Wm. H. Selvidge,
J. Y. Smith,
* W. B. Staley,
† T. J. Tipton,
† J. J. West,
C. C. Wester,
J. W. Wester,
† L. M. Wester,
Samuel Williams,
John Womble,
* J. Wyatt,
† F. M. Wylie,
* L. M. Wylie,
† F. Young.
SCOTT COUNTY.
* S. C. Honeycutt: Proxy.
SEVIER COUNTY.
* L. D. Alexander,
† J. H. Caldwell,
* J. Caldwell,
* J. Cate,
William Catlett,
Harvey Cowan,
R. M. Creswell,
† Rev. Jas. Cummings,
* John Douglass,
Lemuel Duggan,
† Wilson Duggan,
* F. L. Emmert,
† J. K. Franklin,
† J. T. Havis,
† R. H. Hodsden, M.D.,
† Edmund Hodges,
* C. Inman,
David Keener,
Alexander McBath,
† D. McCroskey,
* H. Mount,
† J. C. Murphy,
William Petty,
† Samuel Pickens,
† D. M. Ray,
Isaac Russell,
E. H. Williams.
SULLIVAN COUNTY.
P. N. Easley,
* J. Hughes,
† James Lynn,
William Mullenix,
† G. R. Netherland,
† Jacob Shewalter,
† R. L. Stanford, M.D.
UNION COUNTY.
† Isaac Bayless,
John Cox,
F. P. Hansard,
L. Huddleston,
* M. V. Nash,
A. McPheters,
J. G. Palmer,
J. M. Sawyers,
S. H. Smith,
† J. W. Thornburg.
WASHINGTON COUNTY.
D. B. Barkley,
* J. Biddle,
* C. Bashor,
† A. J. Brown,
* M. H. Clark,
* Jas. W. Deaderick,
* C. A. Eames,
* J. W. Ellis,
* J. A. Estes,
* R. L. Gillespie,
* T. S. Gillespie,
* W. Glaze,
J. F. Grisham,
* P. H. Grisham,
* J. W. Hartman, M.D.,
* E. S. Harvey,
† A. Hoss,
* E. Keezell,
* A. Kibbler,
† S. T. Logan,
† J. F. Mahoney,
* E. S. Matthews,
* Wm. H. Maxwell,
* R. B. McCall, M.D.,
* D. M. McFall,
* R. M. McKee,
* G. W. Nelson,
† Thos. A. R. Nelson,
* D. Onk,
* E. W. Oughbrough,
† R. H. Palmer, M.D.,
† S. K. N. Patton,
* John Pennybaker,
* H. Presnell,
* W. M. Reese,
* J. Slack,
* W. Slemmons,
* W. Smith, M.D.,
* A. B. Tadlock,
* E. H. West,
† S. West,
* G. W. Wilson,
* J. Yerger.
Appendix: Note I: Page 139.
A comparison of the date of Gen. Zolicoffer’s letter from Campbell County to Col. Wood, announcing his purpose immediately to disarm the Union population, with the date of the following advertisement in the Memphis Appeal by two Confederate officers, written from the same county, seriously weakens the plea given in the advertisement for the barbarous use of so many dogs against that population. For disarmed Union men could scarcely carry on an irregular warfare that would require or justify the employment to their damage of sanguinary beasts.
“BLOODHOUNDS WANTED.”
“We, the undersigned, will pay five dollars per pair for fifty pairs of well-bred hounds, and fifty dollars for one pair of thorough-bred bloodhounds that will take the track of a man. The purpose for which these dogs are wanted is to chase the infernal, cowardly Lincoln bushwhackers of East Tennessee and Kentucky, (who have taken advantage of the bush to kill and cripple many good soldiers,) to their haunts and capture them. The said hounds must be delivered at Captain Hammer’s livery stable by the 10th of December next, where a mustering officer will be present to muster and inspect them.”
(Signed) F. N. McNairy,
H. H. Harris,
Camp Crinforth, Campbell Co., Tenn., November 16.
Appendix: Note J: Page 151.
In proof that the hanging of young Harmon before his father’s eyes, while the latter awaited death by the same method, was not, as a grave judicial procedure, without censorious comment at the time, are these satirical lines by one who was more of a wag than a poet. Necessarily, they had a very limited circulation in M. S. among friends.
To General ——
Appendix: Note K: Page 167.
Narrative by Edward J. Sanford of Knoxville, Tenn.
In February, 1862, the Rebel Conscript Law was enacted in Tennessee declaring every man between the ages of eighteen and forty-five a soldier of the Southern Confederacy, and the then Governor, I. G. Harris, made a call for the entire militia force of the State. Consequently the prospect of being speedily compelled to do battle against their sense of right and justice, added to the already precarious condition of those citizens who were known to entertain Union sentiments, and many companies of Union men were formed in East Tennessee for the purpose of running through the rebel lines and joining the Federal army in Kentucky.
For several days previous to April 18, 1862, such a company was forming in Knox and Blount counties. Guides were procured who knew the mountain paths and who were constantly passing to and from the Federal camp in Kentucky. For the ostensible purpose of buying beef in the mountain region for the Confederate army, passes were procured by men who employed their time in preparing a boat on the Clinch river about twenty miles north of Knoxville and secreting it from the watchful eyes of rebel pickets, so that the company could be set over without delay.
The place of rendezvous was on Bullrun creek, fifteen miles north, and its time midnight, April 18. The party was to number three hundred and seventy-five men; but the authorities at Knoxville having got wind of the matter, placed a strong guard around the town which prevented seventy-five of this number from their purpose. I was fortunately one of the few citizens who intended to join the party and were outside of the town before nightfall when the guard was stationed. A carriage ride with my wife early in the evening, as though only for recreation, gave me the opportunity without suspicion, to pass into the country; and leaving her at the house of a friend five miles from town to return home the next day, I went on foot to the house of the well-known Unionist, Andrew Knott, Esq., and remained there until nearly dark. By that time six others had come to bear me company. Two of these were the son and son-in-law of Squire Knott, who united with his family to bestow their best wishes on the little band at its departure. Accessions to it were almost constantly received, as we cautiously proceeded on our way to the rendezvous. We avoided the intervening houses of rebels by going through the fields. But happily this precaution was seldom necessary, for from almost every house we passed, one at least was added to our number, and many were the words of encouragement given and bitter tears shed by mothers, sisters and wives, as those they held dear stepped noiselessly forth from their homes and joined the marching column. Before reaching the appointed place of meeting, our number had increased to seventy-five, and there we found seventy-five men awaiting us. Every one had a haversack of provisions; all were without blankets and extra clothing and only one-third of the company had succeeded in arming themselves for defence with guns or pistols. One half of the whole party did not arrive at the time agreed upon.
We had no shelter, our clothes were completely wet by the rain which had fallen during the entire night and we dared not make a fire, as it would have exposed us to the enemy who, we had reason to know had discovered our movements. For a small scouting party of theirs had captured a few miles back two of our party who had fallen behind the main body. After a short consultation we pushed on as fast as possible and found our boat unmolested where it had been hidden. One-half of our company at one time were set over the river and it so happened that I went with the first boat load. We found relief from fatigue in putting off our haversacks and, (although the rain was pouring down,) in sitting upon the ground on the north side of the stream, while the boat returned for the rest of our party. But scarcely were we seated when a startling cry arose that the rebel cavalry were upon us. We knew at once that if such were the case, our only safety was in fighting, for the river behind us barred our escape in that direction. In a moment a line was formed;—those fortunate enough to have either gun or pistol stood in front and the unarmed behind;—and the expected attack was awaited.
Two horsemen could be seen approaching through the woods, but in the darkness it could not be told whether they were in advance of a column of troops or not. In either case we concluded they were enemies and with weapons levelled, we listened for the word of command to fire upon them. Much to our joy however, they gave us the friendly countersign, and we found that they were an Official of Anderson county and others, who had come to show us on our way. It was then about two o’clock in the morning and without waiting for the second half of our party to cross the river, we went forward under the guidance of our recently supposed enemies at a “double quick” pace. Not a word was spoken as we pressed on without halting,—sometimes through woods and sometimes through fields. As day began to break, from a very secluded spot in a piece of thick woods through which we were going, out stepped a small man with dark eyes and determined look, who without a word motioned us to follow him and then went rapidly ahead. The Anderson County Official who had guided us, immediately turned back homeward, bidding us adieu with a wave of his hand. Our new guide started off at such a quick gait that it was difficult for our leg-weary party to keep up with him. Some of them finding it impossible to do so, were obliged to fall behind and risk the chance of capture. We had walked almost forty miles during the night, through a hard and constant rain and over muddy, slippery ground. Our guide, (Wash Vann by name,) seeing that all were much fatigued, led the way to a secluded place near Nelson’s Ridge and there halted the company for needed rest. Haversacks were then opened, a breakfast made from their contents and nearly all stretched themselves upon the wet ground for repose. A few men were put upon the watch and soon the others were fast asleep. All was quiet for about two hours, when (at 9 A. M. of the 19th) we, who served as sentinels, discovered a man walking very fast and coming upon the trail we had made. He seemed to be scrutinizing our tracks and was evidently following us, but for what purpose of course we could not tell. He approached within thirty yards of us before he raised his eyes or perceived that we were near. At the first glance, he turned and began to run; but hearing the word, Halt! he looked over his shoulder and seeing that several rifles were drawn upon him, he thought it wise to obey the summons. When he came up, we catechized him very closely,—asking him where he was from? how far he had followed us? Where going? &c. To none of these questions could he give a satisfactory answer; but crossed himself frequently and seemed much confused. He said he was a rebel, but could tell nothing about the rebel troops. We concluded that he had been sent to pursue and discover us for the information of our armed enemies, and that our longer delay at the spot would be dangerous. Our short rest and breakfast, with the excitement consequent upon taking a supposed spy, made us all ready to start at once. Our prisoner was ordered to fall in and told that if he attempted to escape, he would be shot.
We soon ascended Nelson’s Ridge and from its summit we could see the rebel cavalry scouts hunting for us in the valley road below, and trying to cut us off, as they were not able on horses to follow us over the Ridge. By going very cautiously through the thickets we managed to escape discovery, safely crossed the valley road north of Walson’s Ridge and soon began the ascent of the Cumberland Mountains, where for the time we felt secure from pursuit by cavalry.
In order to understand our real condition at that time and what had saved us from capture, it will be necessary to revert to the place where we had crossed Clinch river, and notice what was transpiring there. As before stated, one-half of our company crossed Clinch river before two o’clock in the morning. But the remainder, numbering about one hundred and fifty, did not do so until near daylight. In consequence they were discovered by a rebel, named Jones, who lived in the vicinity. He gladly hurried off to a rebel camp a few miles below and gave information. The rebels were on the alert, for they had previous notice that a party of Union men were in the neighborhood, and they gave quick pursuit. But fortunately, a Union man hearing that our friends would probably be overtaken by their enemies, hurried along a near way and told them of their danger. Upon receiving this warning, they had but time to hide in a thicket close at hand, when the pursuing cavalry went rushing by at the top of their speed upon the trail the first half of our company had made hours before, without discovering that any of the fugitives were being left behind them. As the cavalry moved with the utmost possible speed, they reached the spot where we had rested, only an hour after we had left it, and where, but for our capture of the spy, they would no doubt have found us. The hour we had, in advance of the troopers, had been well improved and enabled us to find safety from them in the Cumberland Mountains.
It was then dark. We had walked rapidly for twenty-four consecutive hours, excepting the two hours of halt. The rain, which had fallen during the whole period, came down in torrents at its close. Every one suffered with fatigue, but some were so overcome by it they could not proceed at all. Soon the darkness became intense; we had almost to grope our way; no one could pick his footsteps, and there were many bruises and scratches of the flesh. But over the rocks and through the brush we had to go in the gloom of that dreadful night. At length the joyful sound of “halt!” was heard. Our guide said that we were five miles from any shelter or habitation. It must have been a dismal spot at all times. On every side arose high hills which would almost shut out the light of the mid-day sun. But in the then impenetrable darkness and pouring rain, the thick forest seemed a fit abode for evil spirits. Yet it afforded security from enemies, and we were glad to rest even there. No one of the company would be apt ever to forget the wretched night we spent at that place. After supper from our water-soaked haversacks, we lay down to rest as best we could, without blankets or other means of protection from the wet ground and drenching rain, having agreed without a dissenting voice that the place ought to be known for all time as Camp Misery!
As soon as it was light enough the next morning, we again moved forward and soon began to ascend the highest point of the Cumberland Mountains, known in that vicinity as “The Smoky Range.” On its top, alternate snow and rain were substituted for the continuous, soaking rains of the previous thirty-six hours, and added much to our discomfort. On the top of that and adjacent peaks we travelled nearly the whole day,—keeping upon the roughest and highest surfaces to prevent successful pursuit on horses. Our experience during the remainder of the journey was like that already related. The enemy tried to intercept us, when in passing from one hill to another we crossed over the valley roads, as we were obliged to do. On such occasions one or two of our number would first advance cautiously and reconnoitre. If no danger appeared, the whole company would then pass over the road swiftly, making as little trail as possible, and sometimes by walking backwards, leaving deceptive impressions on the soil.
One incident of the trip will show after what manner the people of Scott county were organized to resist their enemies. They were most thoroughly loyal to the United States and both determined and active. Through one of the narrow and deep vallies among the hills over which we traveled, runs New River. Usually it is little more than a creek, but at that Spring-time because of the heavy and steady rains, it was a formidable stream. When arrived on its southern bank we could find but one small canoe; and knowing it would be imprudent to wait until the whole company could be carried in it over the river, the guns and provisions were placed in the boat, and all who could swim jumped in and breasted the waters. Upon the hillside about the fourth of a mile in front of us, could be seen a small cabin, and as our guide said that the occupant was a Union man, we did not hesitate to approach it. We saw no one about the house until one of our guns, in being placed in the canoe, was accidentally discharged. Immediately a man ran from the house to the stable, mounted a horse and rode rapidly up the hillside. We thought this a suspicious circumstance, and on reaching the house and making known who we were, it came to light that the horseman, in the belief that our company was one of rebels, had sped over the hills to inform the “Home Guards” of which he was a member, and that they would probably fire upon us from every convenient spot, or as it was commonly termed “bush-whack” us. But upon this a woman of the family went ahead of our party, and let the “Guards” know their mistake; and the wounds or death they would have inflicted upon us were averted. Knowing us to be friends of the Union, we were in their eyes as brothers, and instead of resistance and blows, they would have given us help and comfort to the utmost limit of their power.
At the end of the sixth night of this kind of travel we arrived at the Federal Army Camp at Boston, Kentucky. The second half of our original company, whom we had left behind at Clinch river, joined us the day before that termination. This accession made us three hundred strong. The sight of that camp gave us relief, joy and thankfulness, which they only can understand who have had complete deliverance from protracted sufferings and trouble. Beneath the flag of our choice we found nourishment, rest, protection and a hearty welcome from friends who had gone before us and were anxious to hear from dear ones at home. In six hours, three companies of as good soldiers as were ever dressed in blue were added to the Sixth East Tennessee Regiment and went forth to do battle for their homes and country. But they all united afterwards in saying that no week of their lives as soldiers, would begin to compare in hardships with the one they spent in this trip over the mountains.
Before closing this narrative, I should state that the supposed spy whom we captured at our first halting-place and whose capture saved us from being overtaken by the pursuing cavalry, proved to be one of a party of Union men who had several days previously been attacked on their way to Kentucky and all either scattered or captured. Being lost in the woods, he accidentally came upon us while resting, and under the supposition that we were Rebel soldiers, he gave us confused statements. In a short time he learned the true character of his captors; but fortunately for us, we did not find out that he was on our side, until we had reached for the night a secure position. He afterwards carried a musket in the Sixth East Tennessee Regiment and was called one of its best soldiers.
Appendix: Note L: Page 185.
Mrs. Edwards, wife of Mr. Edw. C. Edwards, of Campbell county, carried information, at the cost of exposure to inclement weather and risk of arrest and punishment, to the Union troops in several instances. Once she traveled from her home in a buggy to Lenoir’s Station on the East Tennessee and Georgia Railway and thence by Rail to Athens, 55 miles southwest of Knoxville, and quickly returned. She was accompanied by a neighbor’s adult daughter, Miss Bettie Carey, to whom she did not divulge her purpose. They traveled with passports from the Confederate authorities, and accomplished the journey of more than 150 miles with remarkable celerity. Upon arriving again at home, Mrs. Edwards mounted her horse, and with the valuable knowledge concerning intended movements of the Confederate troops which she had obtained on her recent visit among them, she went alone through the rain over Pine Mountain to the encampment of Gen. J. G. Spears, near the Kentucky border. He was of Bledsoe county, East Tennessee, and in May and June, 1861, a member of the Union Convention at Knoxville and Greeneville. The information given him by Mrs. Edwards, was the means of saving from capture, him and his soldiers, and also, several hundreds of East Tennessee refugees who were on their way to the interior of Kentucky. General Spears thought that she deserved for her daring, patriotic exploit, so useful in its results to his army, more than wordy gratitude; and that she should be paid two thousand dollars by the Federal Government; but the papers he gave her to prove that reward was justly due her failed of their purpose. The United States has never paid it in whole or in part; but her work was not done for the sake of money.
On another occasion, when Winter was about passing into the Spring of 1863, she went on a patriotic errand to Williamsburg, Kentucky, accompanied by Miss Bettie Carey,—both on horseback, their cavalier being a son of Mrs. Edwards, ten years old, mounted on a mule, but as on the previous trip, she kept her special purpose from her companion. Their ostensible object was to purchase supplies needed by their households. As the first night closed in upon the travelers, they lost their way on Pine Mountain. Mrs. Edwards preserved her cheerfulness and hopefully said, that by and by they would find a house. This they did after tedious wandering in the cold and darkness. Observing a light, they found the hospitality they sought in a log cabin which had but one apartment. Their supper, consisting of coffee corn bread and bacon, was kindly provided by the family, and one of the beds in the room was assigned to their use. The two women, with the lad nestling at their feet, slept as comfortably as the cold wind which found entrance through the crevices of the house would permit.
The journey had several difficulties, not the least of which was in fording rivers that were in such a swollen condition, that the horses had almost to swim and their riders were compelled to mount high in their saddles to escape the waters. Mrs. Edwards alone knew what communications she had with others at Williamsburg in relation to the War. In returning home, they were hospitably fed and lodged at the house of a worthy Union man, of whom, as illustrating the wanton cruelties inflicted here and there upon country people by the Confederate soldiery, it has to be said, that not long afterwards, he was arrested by them at his home, and deliberately shot to death, and two of his neighbors of like mind, at the same time shared his fate.
“Were the three men charged with any offence?” was the question asked of the lady who told of the occurrence in connection with the above narrative. “O, no!” was her reply; “they were only Union men.”
There was an instance of dangerous adventure in behalf of the United States, which a young lady and a boy who had just entered his teens undertook during the siege of Knoxville. According to a report made to the House of Representatives, (50th Congress, 1st Session,) by its Committee on War Claims, Gen. Grant sent an important dispatch to Gen. Burnside. So overrun was the territory between Chattanooga and Knoxville by Confederate troops, that it could only be delivered, if at all, with great difficulty and hazard. At length, Miss Mary Love, of Kingston, Tennessee, agreed to take the message through the Confederate lines. She went, attended by a guide, Thomas F. Carter, as far as Louisville, Tennessee. Being there compelled to abandon personally the attempt, she could find but one person who was willing to prosecute it: and to him, a boy, John T. Brown, only 13 years of age she entrusted the dispatch. He carried it safely to its destination, but has never received from the Government, any acknowledgment of his brave and patriotic service.
Appendix: Note M: Page 194.
[From the Official Report of General Carter.]
A movement of troops into East Tennessee was proposed as early as November 25, 1862, but was not ordered until December 19, when arrangements for it had been completed. It was hoped that the force to be sent on this hazardous but important expedition, would have been much larger than that which the Commander of the Department felt could be detached for that service when the time to enter upon it arrived.
The original design was to divide the force into two columns, and strike the East Tennessee and Virginia Railroad at two points at the same time, distant 100 miles apart, and by moving towards the centre, destroy the road for that distance.
A junction of the forces (consisting of two battalions 2nd Michigan Cavalry, Lieut. Col. Campbell; the 9th Pennsylvania Cavalry, Major Russell; and one battalion 7th Ohio Cavalry. Major Raimey) was made near the mouth of Goose Creek, Clay County, Kentucky. As ordered by Gen. Burnside, Col. Charles J. Walker of the 10th Kentucky Cavalry was placed in command of the cavalry brigade.
The troops were ordered to move without baggage, with ten days rations, and 100 rounds of ammunition; but as it was feared some difficulty would be met with in obtaining forage, a supply train was ordered to proceed some 60 miles on the route and then transfer forage and rations to a train of pack mules. On the 22nd December Gen. Carter, who left Lexington on the 20th, came up with the two battalions of the 2nd Michigan and the 9th Pennsylvania at McKee, Jackson county, Kentucky, and after one day’s necessary detention, they effected a junction on the 26th with the remainder of the troops, (1st Battalion of 7th Ohio Cavalry) at Heard’s on Goose Creek. The whole force amounted only to about 1,980 men, and of that number a considerable portion were in the field for the first time.
The marches, owing to the roughness and narrowness of the roads, (being merely bridle paths along the banks of creeks and over steep and rugged mountains) were of necessity slow and tedious, and their length had to be governed by the distance to the several points at which forage could be obtained. It was not until about meridian of the 28th, that they reached the foot of the Cumberland mountain (on the north side,) opposite “Crank’s Gap,” 12 miles to the southward and eastward of Harlan Court House. The pack train was sent back in charge of a detachment of the Kentucky State Guard.
A little before sunset they reached the summit of the Cumberland mountain, and had the field of their operations, with its mountains and vallies spread out before them. Gen. Carter then consulted with the officers of his command, and it was the unanimous opinion that the force was entirely too small to venture on a division according to the original plan. This decision seemed to be the more necessary from the news they had received through East Tennessee refugees at the foot of the mountain, relative to the disposition of the rebel forces along the line of the railroad.
Soon after dark, the advance commenced the descent of the mountain, hoping to make a long march before sunrise, but owing to the steepness, narrowness and roughness of the way, the rear of the column did not reach the foot of the mountain, until 10 p. m., having consumed four hours on the way. Gen. Carter was told there were 400 rebel cavalry in the vicinity of Jonesville one mile distant. As it was important to move through Lee County, Virginia, without exciting suspicion, he moved down Cane Creek, and passing through a Gap in Poor Valley ridge, crossed Powell’s Valley about five miles east of Jonesville. On leaving the valley road, his guides were at fault and valuable time was lost in finding the way. The march was continued through the night and at daylight the troops reached the top of Wallen’s Ridge, 22 miles distant from the foot of Cumberland Mountain, and halted. Thus far they had advanced without giving any alarm, or even exciting any suspicion as to their character. The village of Shelbyville lay immediately below, and but for the imprudence of an officer in allowing the men to visit the village, they could have passed on as rebel cavalry. A number of rebel soldiers belonging to Trigg’s battalion were within Carter’s lines, supposing they were among friends and were captured.
In a short time the U. S. troops were again in the saddle,—passed through Stickleyville, across Powell’s Mountain, and through Pattonsville. Before sunset, they crossed Clinch River 12 miles from Estillville, Scott County, Virginia, and halted for a couple of hours. News of their approach had gone before them, but few of the rebels were disposed to credit it, believing it impossible that a Government force would venture so far within their territory. Upon arriving at Estillville at 10 P. M., they were told that a considerable rebel force was in possession of “Moccasin Gap,” prepared to resist their passage. Gen. Carter could not afford to lose time. The Michigan Battalions were dismounted, and under Lieut. Colonel Campbell, a portion was deployed and moved through the Gap. Being unacquainted with the ground, and having to guard against an ambuscade in this strong pass,—which could have been held by a strong force against greatly superior numbers—they advanced with great caution. It was midnight before the rear of the column had passed through. The enemy, deterred by this resolute advance, fled towards Kingsport, East Tennessee, without firing a gun. A rebel Lieutenant and several soldiers with their arms, were captured on the south side of the Gap, on the Blountville road. During the remainder of the night the men moved forward as rapidly as was practicable over unknown roads,—picking up rebel soldiers by the way. Owing to the darkness of the night, a portion of the command lost their way and became separated from the main body. A small force of the enemy’s cavalry, hovering about the rear, killed a Sergeant of the 2nd Michigan, and captured two others who had wandered from the road. At daylight on the morning of 30th December, the troops reached the town of Blountville, Sullivan County, East Tennessee, surprised and took possession of the place, captured some 30 soldiers belonging to the 4th Kentucky Rebel Cavalry and paroled them. They were there informed that at Bristol, some eight miles distant, there was a large amount of stores, besides the meat of a considerable number of hogs, belonging to the Rebel authorities, but as the place was guarded, according to the best information obtained, by a regiment of Infantry under Colonel Slimp, (said to be 900 strong,) a Cavalry force under Colonel Gettner and a battery, they were reluctantly compelled to leave it on their left, and move towards the railroad bridge at Union, six miles from Blountville. The General sent forward Lieut. Colonel Campbell, with a portion of the 2nd Michigan under the direction of Col. Jas. P. T. Carter of 2nd East Tennessee Infantry, towards Union, with orders to take the place and destroy the railroad bridge across the Holston river. As soon as the remainder of the troops which had been separated during the night, came up, he moved them rapidly forward in the same direction. When he reached Union, he found the town in the possession of his men, and the railroad bridge, a pine structure some 600 feet in length, slowly burning. The rebel force, about 150 strong, consisting of two companies of the 62nd North Carolina troops under command of Major McDowell, had surrendered without resistance; the Major himself having been first captured by the advance of the U. S. troops while endeavoring to learn if there was any truth in the report of their approach. The prisoners were paroled, and a large number of them were that afternoon on their way to the mountains of North Carolina, swearing they would never be exchanged. Their joy at being captured seemed to be unbounded.
The stores, barracks, tents, a large number of arms and equipments, a considerable amount of nitre, a railroad car, the depot, &c., &c., were destroyed; also a wagon bridge across the river, a few hundred yards below the railroad bridge. As soon as the work of destruction was fairly under way. Gen. Carter dispatched Colonel Walker with detachments from the 2nd Michigan, 9th Pennsylvania and 7th Ohio Cavalry,—in all 180 men, the whole under the guidance of Col. Carter,—towards the Watauga bridge at Carter Depot, 10 miles west of Union. On their way they captured a locomotive and tender, with Col. Love of the 62nd North Carolina troops, who having heard of the approach of the “Yankees,” had started on the locomotive to Union, to ascertain the truth of the rumor. On the detachments reaching the Station about sunset, they found the enemy, consisting of two companies of North Carolina troops, estimated by Colonel Walker at nearly 200 men, falling into line. Col. Walker gallantly attacked them and after a brief but warm resistance, they broke and fled to the woods. The gallant Major Roper of the 6th Kentucky Cavalry, with two Companies of the 9th Pennsylvania Cavalry under Capt. Jones of that Regiment, made a dashing charge and captured and destroyed many of their number. Maj. Roper’s loss was 1 killed, 1 mortally, 1 severely and 2 slightly wounded. The entire loss of the enemy, owing to the darkness of the night, could not be learned with certainty, but it was in killed, 12 to 16. The railroad bridge across the Watauga River, some 300 feet in length, was soon in flames and entirely destroyed; also a large number of arms and valuable stores. The captured locomotive was run into the river and completely demolished, destroying in its passage one of the piers of the bridge.
The men and horses, especially the latter, were much worn and jaded from constant travel and want of rest. The alarm had been given. The rebels had the road open to Knoxville and could move up a strong force. The General also learned that some 500 cavalry and 4 guns, under Col. Folks, were within three miles; that an Infantry force would be concentrated at Johnson’s depot, six miles west of Carter’s station by daylight; and further, that Humphrey Marshall, who was at Abingdon, Virginia, was moving his troops to occupy the mountains and thus cut off his egress. It was deemed prudent therefore to return. The command left Watauga, and after a hard march, reached Kingsport at the mouth of the North Fork of the Holston River at sunset on the 31st of December. After feeding and resting a short time and issuing meat to the men, they were again in the saddle, passed eight miles north of Rogersville, and reached Looney’s Gap on Clinch Mountain late in the afternoon, passed through without opposition, and about 11 P. M., January 1st, reached a place on the edge of Hancock County, Tennessee, where forage could be procured, and bivouaced for the night. This was the first night’s rest the men had been able to take since the night of the 27th ult. They had been annoyed during the day and night by bushwhackers, but Providentially escaped with only two men slightly wounded.
Soon after daylight on the morning of the 2d inst., the command proceeded towards Jonesville, Lee County, Virginia, with the intention of reaching the foot of Cumberland Mountain on the Kentucky side before halting. Its march was much impeded during the day by bushwhackers, who constantly annoyed the front and rear. Just before reaching Jonesville, they endeavored to check Gen. Carter by occupying the hills in his front with two companies, (supposed to be Larimore’s and Staley’s); but they were soon driven from their strong position by the skirmishers of the 2d Michigan. The command reached Jonesville late in the afternoon; but before its rear guard had passed, it was attacked by about 200 rebels. Col. Walker took charge of the rear guard, reinforced by two light companies and drove the assailants back to the woods. Several of their number were killed,—one in the village of Jonesville and some twenty were captured during the day, without suffering any loss. From prisoners the General learned that the passes in Powell’s and Clinch mountains, through which he marched in going to Union, had been blockaded and were occupied by three or four companies of infantry. He reached the foot of Cumberland Mountain, passing through “Crank’s Gap,” at 11 P. M., and bivouaced;—men and horses completely jaded and worn, having been in the last five days and seventeen hours, but thirty hours out of the saddle.
On the 5th inst., the command reached Manchester, Clay County, Kentucky, and rested on the following day.
Gen. Carter says in conclusion, that “notwithstanding the inclemency of the weather, the severity of the march and the scanty supply of rations, for no inconsiderable portion of the time; both officers and men bore their hardships without a single murmur or word of complaint. They returned after a journey of 470 miles, 170 of which were in the enemy’s country, in high spirits and in good condition, proud to think they had accomplished a feat which for hazard and hardship has no parallel in the history of the war.”